Steupsss….

Is the rising cost of airfare and travel really the Caribbean tourism industry's biggest problem? I don't think so. I think it's the enemy within. It's our crime issue. I live a very cautious existence in Trinidad right now, as do most of the population, and I think it's a fair assumption to say that the crime in Trinidad, Guyana and Jamaica is far worse than in Antigua. According to the BBC the murder rate for Antigua this year was 10... Ha! That's Trinidad's murder rate for a week... However, the disease that is permeating all of our societies is quite obvious. Unfortunately, because of our geographic location, the Caribbean is a major transshipment point of illegal narcotics from South America to the rest of the western hemisphere. And when drugs enter a society, then follow the cheap guns that are put into the hands of uneducated, disenchanted youth that have absolutely no quality of life or self. Therefore, how can we expect them to value the lives of others? The result? Usually murder.

It’s a sad reality, but what’s even worse is that the smaller islands are also affected by this epidemic. The smaller populations (Antigua and Barbuda – 80,100 in 2004) increase the likelihood of an attack. Hence, the unfortunate murder of Honeymooner Catherine Mullany. The Overseas Advisory Council in their 2007 Crime Report claims that the islands of Barbados, Dominica, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines and Grenada are all mini-ports for the trading of drugs.

And unfortunately the bad press is loud and clear…

The British newspaper the Independent had a very interesting article about the unfortunate murder of British tourist Catherine Mullany:

“Each…[murder] makes the headlines, but some resonate especially strongly with the public. The attack on Catherine and Benjamin Mullany in Antigua will be one of those. It was a dream honeymoon that turned into the worst nightmare: a bride and groom at the start of their bright lives together, divided by death within weeks of their marriage. The damage caused will go way beyond the couple's grieving loved ones. The average friendly, welcoming citizen of this beautiful island either works in tourism, or depends upon fellow Antiguans who do. This is not a backpacker destination: the island's fragile economy relies on a steady stream of high-spending visitors, and the Mullanys were typical tourists staying at the opulent Cocos Hotel in the south-west of the island – which promises an "Escape to paradise". You and I may soon forget the name of the property and its slogan, but our subconscious association between "Antigua" and "Honeymoon Murder" could endure for years.

With Barbados and St Lucia offering a broadly similar range of attractions, Antigua is likely to see a swift, sharp decline in visitor numbers. But with other Caribbean islands – especially Jamaica – enduring shocking murder rates, concerns about safety could echo across the region.

From the point of view of the islands' image and prospects, the identity – and fate – of the perpetrator who fired the shot that killed Catherine Mullany is largely irrelevant. That catastrophic bullet will reverberate for years.”